VDO fuel gauge ?

[Komissar]

Hello,

I have just purchased a VDO-brand fuel gauge from a local seller. However, it did not come with any instructions or papers, and the seller did not know anything about it. However, the price was most tempting : about 10 USD in local money

I have attached a picture of it ...

On the side of it, it has the following writings:

301/ 271 001/001 20/140
VDO Made in Germany 11.73 12V

On the bezel face of the gauge, in the upper part, oposite of the VDO writing (cannot be seen in the picture ) it has another two sets of numbers:
0046 20/140


On the back, it has a provision for a light bulb (standard beetle speedo type) , and a connector marked with " + " , another with " - " and a " G " .

My questions are the following:

Is the 20/140 set of numbers refering to the Ohms resistance of the fuel sender ?
( i have a VW fuel sender that reads 20-ish and 140-ish Ohms when measured with an Ohm-meter - that means that will work with this gauge ? )


Does it require a "vibrator" such as the electric beetle stock fuel gauge ?


Is this a new unit disguised as an vintage one, or is it NOS ? ( 70's or 60's )


Thanks

THis is the picture:

Uploaded with ImageShack.us
_________________
1965 Sunroof Beetle
1972 Type 3 Squareback
1978 Skoda 105S

[Komissar]

Hmm...
Nobody knowsanything about this gauge ? Mainly if it needs a vibrator or not, and the Ohms required for it to work ? I do not want to hook it up to my car and fry it in the next couple of minutes ...
_________________
1965 Sunroof Beetle
1972 Type 3 Squareback
1978 Skoda 105S

[tstracy39]

It's definitely either an aftermarket/dealer installed item or something pertaining to a non-vw application. You can test it by connecting a 9 volt battery to the terminals, I've done this on dozens of gauges without any ill effects to the gauges. Usually the ohmage is marked on the resistor, but because that's on the inside you'll have to just try it out on whatever you have, if you're worried about frying it just put an in-line fuze in line with the + lead.
_________________
Check my classifieds for kewl gauges:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/search.php?username=tstracy39

[hootowls]

I can't give you much other than this lead as to an example of the wiring connections for a vintage VDO fuel gauge:

Search the Fuel Systems Tech Bulletins for more.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/techbulletin_k.php